Mr. Conger to Mr.
Hay.
Legation of the United States,
Peking, March 27,
1902.
No. 956.]
Sir: I regret to report that on the 20th
instant there was an uprising in the southern part of the province of
Honan, at the villages of Pi Yang, Kao-tien, Ch’u-Wa, T’ung-po, and
Ch’eng-tien, which resulted in the destruction of considerable Catholic
property and the massacre of some fifteen native Christians, several of
whom were burned with the buildings. No foreigners have been
injured.
It is not as yet quite clear whether the cause of the trouble was an
attempt to collect increased taxes for indemnity purposes, and the
[Page 166]
resultant anger of the
populace toward missionary work as being responsible for the increased
taxation, or whether it was some local quarrel. However, the Imperial
Government has acted promptly, and immediately issued a severe punitive
decree, translation of which I inclose.
We have some missionaries at Sin-yang, which is in the vicinity of the
trouble. Hence, I immediately sent our Chinese secretary to the Foreign
office to demand their adequate protection. They assured me that this
should be done; that the trouble should not spread, and promised that as
soon as they received further information, for which they had
telegraphed the governor of Honan, it should be given me.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Translation from Peking Gazette, March 25,
1902.
We have received a telegram from Hsi-Liang (governor of Honan)
stating that the country people at Kao-tien, in Pi-yang district,
and other places in Honan, collected a crowd to vent their wrath on
the native Christians because of the indemnity; that they proceeded
to a place called Ch’u-wa and killed four Christians of the “Yeh”
family, after which they went to Ch’eng-tien and killed one
Christian there; that when they reached U-chin-uon, in the T’ung-po
district, they burned and destroyed a chapel and burned four
Christains alive, besides killing four others; that no foreigners
were injured. The telegram states also that troops have already been
sent to restore order and to apprehend the rioters, and that the
magistrate in charge of the Pi-yang district has been removed.
rescript.
We regard with the same compassion the chapels, preachers, and
Christians in all the provinces, and have repeatedly strictly
decreed that the viceroys and governors should earnestly enjoin on
all under their jurisdiction to give them real protection. We
further commanded that the people be instructed from time to time to
bring about peace between them and the Christians. Our solemn
injunctions were given and made public again and again. We expect,
therefore, that they be reverently carried out without the slightest
remissness.
Now, a church has been destroyed at Pi-yang and fourteen Christians
have been killed. This is a serious matter. Such foolish riots are
indeed detestable. We command Hsi-Liang to instruct the local
authorities to ascertain the number of the criminals, to arrest them
promptly, and to try and execute them on the spot.
We command that “Fei Hung-nen,” the magistrate of Pi-yang, be
cashiered, and that he given a limited time to arrest the
criminals.
The magistrate of T’ung-po will hardly be able to clear himself of
blame in this matter. We therefore command that he also be examined
and impeached.
We have exceeding pity for the Christians who suffered, and command
that the governor grant them compensation; also that he bring this
affair to a speedy settlement. Let there be no delay.
Respect this.
Dated the
16th day of the second moon (March 25,
1902).
